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Naga Shaurya, who has delivered a string of flops, has collaborated with debutant director Pavan Basamshetty for Rangabali. Pegged as a ‘unique romantic comedy’, it is the story of an attention seeking young man ‘Show’, short for Shaurya (Naga Shaurya), who lives in a small town called Raja Varam. A happy-go-lucky guy, Show is attached to his native town and has a persistent desire to be at the centre of action at all times. He spends his time with his never-do-good bunch of friends — Agadham (Satya) and Raju (Rajkumar Kasireddi) — till his father Vishwam (Goparaju Ramana) forcibly sends him to Vizag to complete his pharmacy education at a friend’s medical college as he wants his son to take over the running of his medical shop.
Show falls in love with another student Sahaja (Yukthi Thareja). While attempting to convince Sahaja’s father (Murali Sharma) for their marriage, Show faces a unique problem that puts him at a conflict with the identity of his beloved town. As he tries to resolve this, he lands in bigger issues related to social identity, perceptions, mass mentality and how society glamorizes bad over good. How Show tackles all these issues and his life changes completely in these attempts forms the crux of the story.
Though there is a message at the end of the film, Rangabali is mostly a romantic comedy. It’s the comic part that keeps the film moving, with special mention of Naga Shaurya narrating the story of his life from the age of 6. Establishing the idea of attachment with the birth place is done with a few funny scenes. In some truly filmy sequences, the attention seeking nature of the kid gets him the nickname of ‘Show’. Satya’s character draws maximum laughs.
After the narrative shifts to the medical college in Vizag, romance takes centre stage with the introduction of Sahaja’s character. Soon the brilliant medico falls in love with this good-for-nothing but sweet-natured guy and sends him to get her father’s approval. The twist that comes in the story that challenges Show’s love and attachment to his home town is unique to this story. The second half gradually gets serious in tone with Ranga Reddy’s (Sharath Kumar) story, and the conflict coming to the forefront.
Pavan Basamshetty, the debutant writer-director, keeps his focus entirely on entertainment. He makes sure that there are enough funny characters and scenes. But, at the same time, the onus for the film’s biggest weakness — the lack of seriousness it shows towards its own content — also rests with him. The way the film ends, abruptly cut off after a lecture by the lead on social behavior, is utterly dissatisfying.
The film is a riot of colors in the first half and during the medical college episode. The cameraman’s and the designers’ work deserves special mention. Pawan CH’s songs in the first half are good but feel forced towards the end.
Naga Shaurya does a good job in a character tailor-made for him. Debutant Yukthi Thareja holds herself well and delivers a restrained performance. Satya is becoming the first choice for comedy roles these days and his performance in the film reveals why. Goparaju Ramana, Murali Sharma, Barhmaji, and others have limited roles. Shine Tom Chacko gives a subtle, controlled performance as the villain. Sharath Kumar lifts up the film in his brief role. Rangabali refuses to take itself seriously and passes the opportunities to become a better, well-rounded film.
Rangabali movie cast: Naga Shaurya, Yukthi Thareja, Shine Tom Chacko, Goparaju Ramana, Satya, Rajkumar Kasireddy, Sharath Kumar, Shubhalekha Sudhakar, Brahmaji, Saptagiri
Rangabali movie director: Pavan Basamshetty
Rangabali movie rating: 2.5 stars
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